Fanny Burney Quotes & Sayings

To save the mind from preying inwardly upon itself, it must be encouraged to some outward pursuit. There is no other way to elude apathy, or escape discontent; none other to guard the temper from that quarrel with itself, which ultimately ends in quarreling with all mankind. — Fanny Burney

Money is the source of the greatest vice, and that nation which is most rich, is most wicked. — Fanny Burney

The civility of young Branghton, I much suspect, was merely the result of his father's commands — Fanny Burney

It is sometimes dangerous to make requests to men, who are too desirous of receiving them. — Fanny Burney

Lord Orville seemed by no means to think the Captain worthy an argument, upon a subject concerning which he had neither knowledge nor feeling. — Fanny Burney

I have the honour to be quite of your Lordship's opinion," said Mr. Lovel, looking maliciously at Mrs. Selwyn, "for I have an insuperable aversion to strength, either of body or mind, in a female."
"Faith, and so have I," said Mr. Coverley; "for egad I'd as soon see a woman chop wood, as hear her chop logic."
"So would every man in his senses," said Lord Merton; "for a woman wants nothing to recommend her but beauty and good nature; in every thing else she is either impertinent or unnatural. For my part, deuce take me if ever I wish to hear a word of sense from a woman as long as I live!"
"It has always been agreed," said Mrs. Selwyn, looking round her with the utmost contempt, "that no man ought to be connected with a woman whose understanding is superior to his own. Now I very much fear, that to accommodate all this good company, according to such a rule, would be utterly impracticable, unless we should chuse subjects from Swift's hospital of idiots. — Fanny Burney

Such is the effect of true politeness, that it banishes all restraint and embarassment. — Fanny Burney

The laws of custom make our [returning a visit] necessary. O how I hate this vile custom which obliges us to make slaves of ourselves! to sell the most precious property we boast, our time;
and to sacrifice it to every prattling impertinent who chooses to demand it! — Fanny Burney

There's no nation under the sun can beat the English for ill-politeness: for my part, I hate the very sight of them; and so I shall only just visit a person of quality or two of my particular acquaintance, and then I shall go back again to France. — Fanny Burney

Misery is a guest that we are glad to part with, however certain of her speedy return. — Fanny Burney

Be ever thus, my dearest Evelina, dauntless in the cause of distress! let no weak fears, no timid doubts, deter you from the exertion of your duty, according to the fullest sense of it that nature has implanted in your mind. — Fanny Burney

How truly does this journal contain my real and undisguised thoughts
I always write it according to the humour I am in, and if astranger was to think it worth reading, how capricious
insolent & whimsical I must appear!
one moment flighty and half mad,
the next sad and melancholy. No matter! Its truth and simplicity are its sole recommendations. — Fanny Burney

But if the young are never tired of erring in conduct, neither are the older in erring of judgment. — Fanny Burney

Falsehood is not more unjustifiable than unsafe. — Fanny Burney

The Spring is generally fertile in new acquaintances. — Fanny Burney

I wish the opera was every night. It is, of all entertainments, the sweetest and most delightful. Some of the songs seemed to melt my very soul. — Fanny Burney

Besides, she has always a house full of people; and, though they are chiefly fools and coxcombs, yet there is some pleasure in cutting them up. — Fanny Burney

To Sir Clement, my Lord," said I, "attribute nothing. He is the last man in the world who would have any influence over my conduct. — Fanny Burney

We relate all our afflictions more frequently than we do our pleasures. — Fanny Burney

Tis best to build no castles in the air. — Fanny Burney

Wealth per se I never too much valued, and my acquaintance with its possessors has by no means increased my veneration for it. — Fanny Burney

I am tired to death! tired of every thing! I would give the universe for a disposition less difficult to please. Yet, after all, what is there to give pleasure? When one has seen one thing, one has seen every thing. — Fanny Burney

But authors before they write should read. — Fanny Burney

How little has situation to do with happiness. The happy individual uses their intelligence to realise things could be worse and therefore is grateful and happy. The unhappy individual does the opposite! — Fanny Burney

There's nothing but quarreling with the women; it's my belief they like it better than victuals and drink. — Fanny Burney

Her next solicitude was to furnish herself with a well-chosen collection of books: and this employment, which to a lover of literature, young and ardent in its pursuit, is perhaps the mind's first luxury, proved a source of entertainment so fertile and delightful that it left her nothing to wish. — Fanny Burney

This perpetual round of constrained civilities to persons quite indifferent to us, is the most provoking and tiresome thing in theworld, but it is unavoidable in a country town, where everybody is known ... 'Tis a most shocking and unworthy way of spending our precious irrecoverable time, to those who know not its value. — Fanny Burney

Those who wander in the world avowedly and purposely in pursuit of happiness, who view every scene of present joy with an eye to what may succeed, certainly are more liable to disappointment, misfortune and unhappiness, than those who give up their fate to chance and take the goods and evils of fortune as they come, without making happiness their study, or misery their foresight. — Fanny Burney

You have sensible women here [in England] but then, they are very devils
censorious, uncharitable, sarcastic
the women in Scotland have twice
thrice their freedom, with all their virtue
and are very conversable and agreeable
their educations are more finished. — Fanny Burney

But alas, my dear child, we are the slaves of custom, the dupes of prejudice, and dare not stem the torrent of the opposing world, even though our judgments condemn our compliance! However, since the die is cast, we must endeavor to make the best of it. — Fanny Burney

Let me counsel you to remember that a lady, whether so called form birth or only from fortune, should never degrade herself by being put on a level with writers, and such sort of people. — Fanny Burney

There is no young creature, my Lord, who so greatly wants, or so earnestly wishes for, the advice and assistance of her friends, as I do: I am new to the world, and unused to acting for myself;-my intentions are never willfully blameable, yet I err perpetually! — Fanny Burney

Can any thing, my good Sir, be more painful to a friendly mind than a necessity of communicating disagreeable intelligence? Indeed, it is sometimes difficult to determine, whether the relater or the receiver of evil tidings is most to be pitied. — Fanny Burney

O! how short a time does it take to put an end to a woman's liberty! — Fanny Burney

I revere you. I esteem and admire you above all human beings. You are the friend to whom my soul is attached as to its better half. You are the most amiable, the most perfect of women. And you are dearer to me than language has the power of telling ... You are now all my own ... How will my soul find room for its happiness? It seems already bursting! — Fanny Burney

Mock you!" repeated he earnestly, "no I revere you! I esteem and I admire you above all human beings! you are the friend to whom my soul is attached as to its better half! you are the most amiable, the most perfect of women! and you are dearer to me than language has the power of telling. — Fanny Burney

Concealment, my dear Maria, is the foe of tranquility: however I may err in future, I will never be disingenuous in acknowledging my errors. To — Fanny Burney

To Nobody, then, will I write my Journal! since to Nobody can I be wholly unreserved, to Nobody can I reveal every thought, every wish of my heart, with the most unlimited confidence, the most unremitting sincerity, to the end of my life! — Fanny Burney

Why he's a poet, you know, so he may live upon learning. — Fanny Burney

I looked about for some of my acquaintance, but in vain, for I saw not one person that I knew, which is very odd, for all the world seemed there. — Fanny Burney

Young, animated, entirely off your guard, and thoughtless of consequences, Imagination took the reins; and Reason, slow-paced, though sure-footed, was unequal to the race of so eccentric and flighty a companion. How rapid was then my Evelina's progress through those regions of fancy and passion whither her new guide conducted her!-She saw Lord Orville at a ball,-and he was the most amiable of men! -She met him again at another,-and he had every virtue under Heaven! — Fanny Burney

In England, I was quite struck to see how forward the girls are made
a child of 10 years old, will chat and keep you company, while her parents are busy or out etc.
with the ease of a woman of 26. But then, how does this education go on?
Not at all: it absolutely stops short. — Fanny Burney

I have this very moment finished reading a novel called The Vicar of Wakefield [by Oliver Goldsmith] ... It appears to me, to be impossible any person could read this book through with a dry eye and yet, I don't much like it ... There is but very little story, the plot is thin, the incidents very rare, the sentiments uncommon, the vicar is contented, humble, pious, virtuous
but upon the whole the book has not at all satisfied my expectations. — Fanny Burney

An old woman ... is a person who has no sense of decency; if once she takes to living, the devil himself can't get rid of her. — Fanny Burney

Traveling is the ruin of all happiness! There's no looking at a building after seeing Italy. — Fanny Burney

To despise riches, may, indeed, be philosophic, but to dispense them worthily, surely, must be more beneficial to mankind. — Fanny Burney

To be sure, marriage is all in all with the ladies; but with us gentlemen it's quite another thing! — Fanny Burney

The right line of conduct is the same for both sexes, though the manner in which it is pursued, may somewhat vary, and be accommodated to the strength or weakness of the different travelers. — Fanny Burney

Travelling is the ruin of all happiness. There's no looking at a building here after seeing Italy. — Fanny Burney

You could not see and know her, and remain unmoved by those sensations of affection which belong to so near and tender a relationship. — Fanny Burney

I cannot sleep - great joy is as restless as great sorrow. — Fanny Burney

I never pretend to be so superior a being as to be above having and indulging a hobby horse [her journal writing], and while I keep mine within due bounds and limits, nobody, I flatter myself, would wish to deprive me of the poor animal: to be sure, he is not formed for labour, and is rather lame and weak, but then the dear creature is faithful, constant, and loving, and though he sometimes prances, would not kick anyone into the mire, or hurt a single soul for the world
and I would not part with him for one who could win the greatest prize that ever was won at any races. — Fanny Burney

Unused to the situations in which I find myself, and embarassed by the slightest difficulties, I seldom discover, till too late, how I ought to act. — Fanny Burney

O! I must tell you that I have fallen in love with a gentleman whom I have lately come acquainted with: he is about 60 or 70 - has ... O! I must tell you that I have fallen in love with a gentleman whom I have lately come acquainted with: he is about 60 or 70 - has the misfortune to be humpbacked, crooked legged, and rather deformed in his face. - But, in sober sadness, I am delighted with the Dean of Coleraine, whose picture this is, and which I have very lately read. The piety, the zeal, the humanity, goodness and humility of this charming old man have won my heart. Ah! who will not envy him the invaluable treasure! — Fanny Burney

But the time draws on for experience and observation to take the place of instruction: if — Fanny Burney

Another gentleman ... desired to know if I was engaged, or would honour him with my hand [to dance]. So he was pleased to say, tho ... Another gentleman ... desired to know if I was engaged, or would honour him with my hand [to dance]. So he was pleased to say, though I am sure I know not what honour he could receive from me; but these sort of expressions, I find, are used as words of course, without any distinction of persons, or study of propriety. — Fanny Burney

It seldom happens that a man, though extolled as a saint, is really without blemish; or that another, though reviled as a devil, is really without humanity. — Fanny Burney

There is nothing", answered he, "which requires more immediate notice than impertinence, for it ever encroaches when it is tolerated. — Fanny Burney

While we all desire to live long, we have all a horror of being old! — Fanny Burney

I'd rather be done any thing to than laughed at, for, to my mind, it's one or other the disagreeablest thing in the world. — Fanny Burney

Never shall I recollect the occasion he gave me of displeasure, without feeling it renewed. — Fanny Burney

Remember, my dear Evelina, nothing is so delicate as the reputation of a woman: it is, at once, the most beautiful and most brittle of all human things. — Fanny Burney

I am ashamed of confessing that I have nothing to confess. — Fanny Burney

You must learn not only to judge but to act for yourself. — Fanny Burney

The world ... is too full of real evil for me at least, to cause one moment of unnecessary uneasiness to any of its poor pilgrims. 'Tis strange ... that this is not more generally considered, since the advantage would be so reciprocal from man to man. But wrapt up in our own short moment, we forget our neighbour's long hour! and existence is ultimately embittered to all, by the refined susceptibility for ourselves that monopolizes our feelings. — Fanny Burney

Credulity is the sister of innocence ... — Fanny Burney

I love and honour [Paulus Aemilius, in Plutarch's Lives], for his fondness for his children, which instead of blushing at, he avows and glories in: and that at an age, when almost all the heros and great men thought that to make their children and family a secondary concern, was the first proof of their superiority and greatness of soul. — Fanny Burney

Far from having taken any positive step, I have not yet even fommed any resolution. — Fanny Burney

There was an exceeding good concert, but too much talking to hear it well. Indeed I am quite astonished to find how little music is attended to in silence; for, though every body seems to admire, hardly any body listens. — Fanny Burney

And the honour you did me, no man could have been more sensible of; I am ignorant, therefore, how I have been so unfortunate as to forfeit it:-but, at present, all is changed! you fly me,-your averted eye shuns to meet mine, and you sedulously avoid my conversation. — Fanny Burney

Imagination took the reins, and reason, slow-paced, though sure-footed, was unequal to a race with so eccentric and flighty a companion. — Fanny Burney

Well of all things in the world, I don't suppose anything can be so dreadful as a public wedding
my stars!
I should never be able to support it! — Fanny Burney

he has no more manners than a bear, — Fanny Burney

No man is in love when he marries. He may have loved before; I have even heard he has sometimes loved after: but at the time never. There is something in the formalities of the matrimonial preparations that drive away all the little cupidons. — Fanny Burney

It's vastly more irksome to give up one's own way, than to hear a few impertinent remarks. — Fanny Burney

The mind naturally accommodates itself, even to the most ridiculous improprieties, if they occur frequently. — Fanny Burney

Men seldom risk their lives where an escape is without hope of recompense. — Fanny Burney

She [Evelina] is not, indeed, like most modern young ladies; to be known in half an hour; her modest worth, and fearful excellence, require both time and encouragement to show themselves. — Fanny Burney

It has been long and justly remarked, that folly has ever sought alliance with beauty. — Fanny Burney

Look at your [English] ladies of quality are they not forever parting with their husbands forfeiting their reputations and is their life aught but dissipation? In common genteel life, indeed, you may now and then meet with very fine girls who have politeness, sense and conversation but these are few and then look at your trademen's daughters what are they? poor creatures indeed! all pertness, imitation and folly. — Fanny Burney

There si nothing upon the face of the earth so insipid as a medium. Give me love or hate! A friend that will go to jail for me, or an enemy that will run me through the body! — Fanny Burney

What arguments, what persuasions can I make use of, with any prospect of success, to such a woman as Madame Duval? ... She is too ignorant for instruction, too obstinate for entreaty, and too weak for reason. — Fanny Burney

In the bosom of her respectable family resided Camilla. — Fanny Burney

When young people are too rigidly sequestered from [the world], their lively and romantic imaginations paint it to them as a paradise of which they have been beguiled; but when they are shown it properly, and in due time, they see it such as it really is, equally shared by pain and pleasure, hope and disappointment. — Fanny Burney

For my part, I confess I seldom listen to the players: one has so much to do, in looking about and finding out one's acquaintance, that, really, one has no time to mind the stage. One merely comes to meet one's friends, and show that one's alive. — Fanny Burney

To a heart formed for friendship and affection the charms of solitude are very short-lived. — Fanny Burney

Tired, ashamed, and mortified, I begged to sit down till we returned home, which I did soon after. Lord Orville did me the honour to hand me to the coach, talking all the way of the honour I had done him ! O these fashionable people! — Fanny Burney

A little alarm now and then keeps life from stagnation. — Fanny Burney

Concealment is the foe of tranquility. — Fanny Burney

I am too inexperienced and ignorant to conduct myself with propriety in this town, where every thing is new to me, and many things are unaccountable and perplexing. — Fanny Burney

Don't be angry with the gentleman for thinking, whatever be the cause, for I assure you he makes no common practice of offending in that way. — Fanny Burney

Really, Ma'am," said Mr. Lovel, colouring, "if one was to mind every thing those low kind of people say, one should never be at rest for one impertinence or other; so I think the best way is to be above taking any notice of them. — Fanny Burney

You must not sneeze. If you have a vehement cold you must take no notice of it; if your nose membranes feel a great irritation you must hold your breath; if a sneeze still insists upon making its way you must oppose it keeping your teeth grinding together; if the violence of the pulse breaks some blood-vessel you must break the blood-vessel
but not sneeze. — Fanny Burney

Generosity without delicacy, like wit without judgement, generally gives as much pain as pleasure. — Fanny Burney

But how cool, how quiet is true courage! — Fanny Burney

She [Madame Duvall] seems desirious to repair the wrongs she has done, yet wishes the world to believe her blameless. — Fanny Burney

While all the pomp and circumstance of war animated others, it only saddened me; and all of past reflection, all of future dread, made the whole grandeur of the martial scene, and all the delusive seduction of martial music, fill my eyes frequently with tears ... — Fanny Burney

O, we all acknowledge our faults, now; 'tis the mode of the day: but the acknowledgment passes for current payment; and therefore we never amend them. — Fanny Burney

No, my Lord," answered she, "it would have been from mere shame, that, in an age so daring, you alone should be such a coward as to forbear to frighten women."
"o", cried he, laughing, "when a man is in a fright for himself, the ladies cannot but be in security; for you have not had half the apprehension for the safety of your persons, that I have for that of my heart. — Fanny Burney

In all ranks and all stations of life, how strangely characters and manners differ! — Fanny Burney